Mission Statement
We recognize and support young people who embody good character, strong morals, honesty, integrity, respect, and a passion for civic duty, volunteering, and helping others. Through financial scholarships, we empower a new generation of young leaders who can build a better society.
In Honor Of
| Name: |
Staff Sergeant Tanner M. Romanos |
| Branch: |
United States Air Force |
| Born: |
November 20, 1995 |
| Passed: |
December 28, 2022 |
| Legacy: |
SSgt. Tanner M. Romanos lived a life of selfless service to others. His legacy of helping "the broken" and putting people first is the foundation of the Dare Greatly Foundation's mission. |
Scholarship Program Details
| Scholarship Name: |
Dare Greatly Foundation Scholarship |
| Annual Scholarships Awarded: |
10 scholarships per year |
| Scholarship Amount: |
$1,000 per scholarship |
| Total Scholarships Awarded (2024-2025): |
24 scholarships |
| Application Deadline: |
May 15 (annually) |
| Decision Notification: |
By May 15 (annually) |
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a Connecticut resident
- Must be a graduating high school senior
- Minimum GPA of 2.5 required
- Must plan to attend an accredited post-secondary education program (college, university, community college, trade school, technical school, or vocational program)
- Must demonstrate character, integrity, compassion, and commitment to serving others
Application Requirements
- Online application with basic student information and social media profile handles
- Official transcript
- Personal essay (minimum 500 words)
- Personal video (1-3 minutes answering "What Does Daring Greatly Mean to You?")
- Two letters of recommendation (from teachers, mentors, or employers - not family members)
- Community service information (up to three volunteer activities)
Selection Criteria
Applications are evaluated using a structured rubric that includes:
- Character & Integrity: Honesty, accountability, and ethical decision-making
- Service & Community Involvement: Meaningful volunteer work and helping others
- Compassion & Respect: Empathy and support for people from all backgrounds
- Leadership Through Action: Leading by example within school, family, or community
- Personal Reflection & Growth: Thoughtful self-reflection on values and service
- Alignment with Dare Greatly Values: Evaluated on a 1-10 scale
Important: This is a character-based scholarship, not solely merit-based or need-based. Students do not need a 4.0 GPA or perfect resume to apply.
Key Philosophy
"Dare Greatly" is inspired by Theodore Roosevelt's "Man in the Arena" speech and the life of SSgt. Tanner Romanos. It means choosing courage, service, and compassion—especially when helping others comes with risk or goes unseen.
The Foundation values character over credentials and service over status.
Annual Fundraising Events
| Event Name: |
Dare Greatly Foundation Annual Golf Tournament |
| Location: |
The VUE Country Club, Hamden, CT |
| 2025 Event Date: |
September 15, 2025 |
| 2025 Attendees: |
127 total attendees (111 golfers) |
| 2025 Net Funds Raised: |
$20,000+ from tournament, $4,000+ in direct donations |
| 2026 Event Date: |
September 14, 2026 |
Leadership
Board of Directors
- Matt Romanos - President/Director
- Kailey Romanos, Esq. - In-House Counsel/Director
- Glenn Laudenslager IV, MBA - Director
- Amy Cannatta, D.C. - Secretary/Director
Associate Directors
- Tracey Fusco
- Adrian Florence
- PJ Romanos
- Eric Bergman
- Marc Caldarone
Co-Treasurers
Impact Statistics
| Total Scholarships Awarded (2024-2025): |
24 scholarships |
| 2024 Recipients: |
12 students |
| 2025 Recipients: |
12 students |
| States Served: |
Connecticut |
Social Media & Online Presence
